The Best Screen‑Free Subscription Boxes for Kids in 2025

Aug 18

Screen-free subscription boxes are curated packages delivered to your doorstep at regular intervals (usually monthly or bi-monthly). They range from Montessori-inspired wooden toys for babies to STEAM projects, craft kits or magazines for older children. The appeal of these boxes lies in offering fresh, age-appropriate activities tailored to a child’s interests—be it science, art, reading, or geography—without relying on screens. The boxes highlighted in the Best Kids Screen-Time-Free Subscription Boxes article present 17 options that span infancy through the tween years. Below, each box is introduced with an overview of its contents, target age range, focus area, and excerpts from parent reviews.

Overview of the best subscription boxes

#	Subscription Box	Age Range	Category	Key Features	Starting Price
1	Lalo Play Boxes	0–2 yrs	Montessori / Toys	4–5 wooden toys every 2 months, play guide included	$75 each
2	Lovevery Play Kits	0–4 yrs	Montessori / Toys	Stage-based kits; $80 every 2 months (0–12 mo), $120 every 3 months (1–4 yrs)	$80–$120
3	KiwiCo Labs	5–12 yrs+	STEAM	Clubs by interest (science, art, geography); 1 project per box	$24/mo
4	Crunch Lab	8–14+ yrs	Engineering	Build Box or Hack Pack; DIY robots with controllers	$67/box or $399/yr
5	Literati Book Box	All ages	Reading / Books	5 curated books/month, pay only for what you keep	$10/book
6	Little Passports	3–12 yrs	Culture / STEAM	Explore countries & science themes via crafts and activities	$22/mo
7	My Artist Box (Kids Art Box)	6+ yrs	Arts & Crafts	Monthly artist focus with supplies & projects; Create Together for younger kids	$48/box
8	Creative Girls Club	7–12 yrs	Arts & Crafts	Two creative projects per month with all materials included	Varies
9	Young Woodworkers Kit Club	7–12 yrs	Woodworking	Pre-cut/drilled wooden project kits + tools	Varies
10	Doodle Crate	9–16+ yrs	Arts & Crafts	Monthly art projects teaching new tools & techniques	Varies
11	Flintobox	2–12 yrs	STEAM	Monthly themed activities to develop motor & cognitive skills	Varies
12	Subscription Box Kids	3–7 yrs	Early Learning / Reading	Preschool Box: 16+ activities; Lil Readers: books + crafts	Varies
13	Green Kid Crafts	5–12 yrs	Science + Arts & Crafts	Eco-conscious STEAM kits with multiple activities	Varies
14	Mysteries in Time	6–11 yrs	History	Time-travel theme with puzzles, fiction & non-fiction	Varies
15	Little Dreamers Club	3–8 yrs	Arts & Crafts (Most Fun)	6–8 themed crafts + book; voted “Best Art” by Parents.com	Varies
16	Whizz Pop Bang	6–12 yrs	Science Magazine	Ad-free, monthly experiments & puzzles	Varies
17	DiscoveryBox	7–14 yrs	Science + History Magazine	Mix of science, nature, history, experiments, and games	Varies

Lalo Play Boxes

Age range: 0–2 years.
Focus: Montessori-style, eco-friendly wooden toys for babies and toddlers.
What’s inside: Each box arrives every two months with 4–5 wooden toys designed by childhood development experts plus a play guide for parents. Toys include simple race tracks, wooden vegetable cutting sets and sorting-and-counting activities that build fine-motor skills.
Review insight: Parents who tried Lalo boxes appreciated the development-specific curation and the included play guide. A review on The Quality Edit noted that the boxes “feel personalized and specific to a child’s development” and praised the durability of the eco-friendly toys. The review’s only downside was that subscriptions only cover children up to 24 months.

Lovevery Play Kits

Age range: Birth to 4 years; deliveries every two months for the first year and every three months afterwards.
Focus: Montessori-inspired “stage-based” play promoting cognitive and motor development.
What’s inside: Each kit contains robust wooden toys, a hardback book, sensory items like scarves, stacking rings or socks, and multi-purpose playthings such as blocks and cups, all made from sustainably sourced materials. The kits come with an age-specific play guide suggesting how to introduce the materials.
Review insight: A Wanderlust Chloe review found the kits thoughtfully designed to encourage psychological and physical development and avoid “gaudy plastic toys.” Although pricey, the reviewer noted that Lovevery toys have high resale value and help parents avoid impulse purchases.

KiwiCo Labs (Crates)

Age range: 5–12 years+ (multiple lines for different ages).
Focus: STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) projects tailored by age and interest.
What’s inside: Families choose from themed “clubs,” such as science and engineering, art and design or geography. Each monthly crate contains a single project with all tools and materials, plus inspiration for further exploration.
Review insight: A homeschool mom’s review on Mombrite called KiwiCo crates an integral part of her science curriculum; projects expose kids to STEAM concepts and arrive ready to use—“open and go.” The reviewer appreciated the flexible subscription and relatively low price (starting around $17.50/month), noting that KiwiCo offered multiple product lines for different ages.

Crunch Lab

Age range: 8–14 years for Build Box; 14+ for Hack Pack.
Focus: Engineering and robotics; boxes are created by former NASA engineer and YouTube personality Mark Rober.
What’s inside: Each bi-monthly or quarterly box includes all parts and tools to build a programmable robot or gadget, along with batteries and a controller.
Review insight: A Hello Subscription review highlighted the engaging hands-on experience; kids build items like a disc launcher while learning engineering concepts through step-by-step instructions and exclusive video tutorials. The review praised the creative modifications and badges that reward experimentation and noted that the boxes inspire children to think like engineers.

Literati Book Box

Age range: All ages; boxes are tailored to individual reading levels.
Focus: Reading; fosters discovery of new authors and genres.
What’s inside: Subscribers receive five curated books each month and keep only the ones they like, returning the rest at no cost.
Review insight: In a candid review on Some the Wiser, a parent praised the quality and diversity of books and loved the ability to try books before buying. Downsides included the high cost, occasional used/damaged books and difficulty managing returns or cancelling. Nonetheless, the donation program and skip-month option were appreciated.

Little Passports

Age range: 3–12 years.
Focus: Cultural exploration and science; each kit introduces geography, world traditions or science themes through hands-on projects.
What’s inside: Kids receive a welcome suitcase and world map, then monthly kits exploring places like Hawaii or Rome through crafts, cooking, puzzles or science experiments. Boxes are organized by age and theme (e.g., Early Explorers, Science Expeditions).
Review insight: A travel mom on Families Love Travel loved that kits encourage family time and cultural curiosity; activities require 1–2 hours to complete, so they aren’t for unsupervised play. She warned that boxes can pile up if families don’t keep up, but her kids enjoyed receiving mail and the projects.

My Artist Box (Kids Art Box)

Age range: 6+ years, with a Create Together version for younger children.
Focus: Arts and crafts; each month spotlights a specific artist or theme.
What’s inside: Boxes contain art supplies and step-by-step projects plus information about the featured artist. The Create Together box offers themed projects with visual instructions.
Review insight: Parents on Reviews.io praised the quality and quantity of supplies—there are often extra materials—and noted that projects spark discussions and keep children busy for hours. They appreciated not having to source supplies themselves and found the boxes perfect for travel or rainy days. Some commented that the subscription is pricey but worth it given the engagement and leftover materials.

Creative Girls Club

Age range: 7–12 years.
Focus: Arts and crafts designed for girls; encourages creativity and self-expression.
What’s inside: Each monthly package delivers two craft projects (e.g., sand art, painting, plastic canvas) with all materials and instructions.
Review insight: A review on Hello Subscription highlighted that the kits develop fine-motor skills and patience while boosting confidence and self-esteem. Parent-child craft time fosters bonding and teaches new skills like painting and stitching.

Young Woodworkers Kit Club

Age range: 7–12 years.
Focus: Woodworking; aims to teach tool safety and basic carpentry skills.
What’s inside: Subscriptions start with three boxes that include a kid-sized hammer, screwdriver and nails. Subsequent boxes provide pre-cut and pre-drilled wood pieces with sandpaper, paint and instructions to build items like catapults, candy machines or space shuttles.
Review insight: A parent review on STEM Education Guide found the projects engaging and noted that instructions are clear and explicit. Children enjoyed sanding, measuring and painting their creations, though one reviewer wished for more paint colors.

Doodle Crate

Age range: 9–16 years.
Focus: Art and design; projects often blend crafting with building.
What’s inside: Monthly kits introduce new tools, materials or techniques—for example, building and decorating a wooden clock or constructing and painting a canvas. Video tutorials support the instruction.
Review insight: A review on Mama Natural appreciated that Doodle Crate goes beyond art by integrating building and creative problem-solving. It teaches leadership, responsibility and new skills like woodworking or painting; parents loved seeing their children proudly display their creations. The review emphasised that child development experts design the boxes.

Flintobox

Age range: 2–12 years.
Focus: STEAM and developmental skills; themes cover art, science and life skills.
What’s inside: Each monthly box contains 3–7 activities and a book. Activities are organized into cloth bags with instructions noting the time required and skills developed. Parents select the child’s age and theme when subscribing.
Review insight: A review on Mummasaurus said the materials are safe and high quality; everything needed is included and there are even extra pieces. The reviewer’s twins loved the games and recommended the subscription despite the cost. She noted that subscriptions can be purchased single or long-term.

Subscription Box Kids (The Preschool Box & Lil Readers Book Club)

Age range: 3–7 years.
Focus: Early learning and reading.
What’s inside: There are two options:

The Preschool Box: Over 16 hands-on activities plus a workbook, crafts and a storybook.
Lil Readers Book Club: Three themed books with crafts and reading guides each month.

Review insight: A My Subscription Addiction reviewer praised the Preschool Box for its organized, educational content and felt the subscription cost was justified by the amount of materials and full month of curriculum. For the Lil Readers Book Club, the same site noted that while the books alone might not justify the cost, the curated crafts and reading guides add value, and siblings can join in.

Green Kid Crafts

Age range: ~5–12 years.
Focus: Eco-conscious STEAM projects blending science and art.
What’s inside: Each box includes multiple activities such as lacing cards, counting games, and craft projects using recycled or sustainable materials.
Review insight: A parent review on Two Mama Bears enjoyed the bonding time and found the carrot-counting and lacing activities beneficial for fine motor and numeracy skills. However, the reviewer complained about poor material quality—velcro that wasn’t glued well, flimsy barn pieces and simple craft ideas—and felt the price didn’t match the value compared with competitors.

Mysteries in Time

Age range: 6–11 years.
Focus: History and storytelling; each monthly pack explores a different historical era.
What’s inside: The Classic Pack includes a storybook, fact booklet, puzzles, coloring sheets, bookmarks and stickers. The Bumper Pack adds a craft and a historical gift. A world map helps children track the eras.
Review insight: A review on Sparkles & Stretchmarks described how a history-loving child was thrilled to receive the Ancient Egypt box, prompting the family to subscribe monthly. The reviewer appreciated the high-quality materials and engaging crafts, such as making an Egyptian amulet. Subscription prices are about £6.45 for the Classic Pack and £11.95 for the Bumper Pack.

Little Dreamers Club

Age range: 3–8 years.
Focus: Arts and crafts; voted “Best Art” subscription by Parents.com.
What’s inside: Each bi-monthly box contains a top-rated children’s book, art supplies, extra craft projects, a badge and sometimes a surprise gift. There are two versions: Adventurer for ages 3–5 and Pioneer for ages 6–8.
Review insight: This box is often listed among top craft subscriptions; while direct parent reviews were limited, articles highlight its focus on quality family time and imaginative play.

Whizz Pop Bang (Magazine)

Age range: 6–12 years.
Focus: Science magazine featuring experiments, news and puzzles.
What’s inside: A 36-page ad-free magazine each month packed with articles, hands-on experiments, interviews and puzzles plus downloadable teacher lesson packs.
Review insight: A review on Teachwire called Whizz Pop Bang “worth every penny” for its diverse, engaging science content and appreciated the dynamic lesson packs. The reviewer noted that the magazine fosters curiosity and can be incorporated into classroom activities.

DiscoveryBox (Magazine)

Age range: 7–14 years.
Focus: Science, history and culture.
What’s inside: Each issue combines articles on science, nature, history and current events with experiments, games and creative activities.
Review insight: The School Reading List describes DiscoveryBox as ideal for curious readers; it encourages critical thinking and creativity by mixing educational content with puzzles and experiments. Direct parent reviews weren’t available but the resource emphasises its educational value and broad coverage.

How to Choose the Right Subscription Box for Your Child

Consider your child’s age and developmental stage. Boxes like Lalo Play Boxes and Lovevery Play Kits are geared toward infants and toddlers, while Crunch Lab and Mysteries in Time suit older kids. Choosing an age-appropriate box ensures the activities are safe and engaging.
Match the box to your child’s interests. If your child loves science, options like KiwiCo Labs, Crunch Lab, Green Kid Crafts or Whizz Pop Bang may be ideal. Budding artists might prefer My Artist Box, Creative Girls Club, Doodle Crate or Little Dreamers Club. Young readers can explore the Literati Book Box or Subscription Box Kids.
Assess the quality and value. Parent reviews reveal important insights; for example, KiwiCo and Crunch Lab receive high marks for durable materials and engaging projects, while Green Kid Crafts drew criticism for flimsy materials and lower value. Read multiple reviews to gauge whether the price aligns with the quality of materials and learning outcomes.
Think about time commitment and parental involvement. Some boxes, like Little Passports and Mysteries in Time, require adult participation and dedicated time to complete activities. Others, such as Lalo Play Boxes or KiwiCo Labs, are more “open and go” with minimal prep. Choose a box that matches your family’s schedule and willingness to participate.
Sustainability and storage. Eco-friendly boxes, such as Lalo and Green Kid Crafts, prioritise wooden or recycled materials. Consider whether your home has room to store projects—boxes like Literati allow returns of unwanted items, while kits with large builds may require display space.

By understanding the contents, reviews and focus of each subscription box, parents can choose an option that aligns with their child’s age, interests and learning style. Whether your goal is to encourage a budding engineer, inspire a young artist or instill a love of reading and world cultures, the right subscription box can deliver enriching, screen-free experiences.

Haley Longman